Subtitle: How Neuropsychology is Catching up to Buddhism

If reading about how the brain actually functions is something you are drawn to--then I highly recommend this book. As the back blurb says: Read this book and you will never view "self help" the same way again. I agree as "self help" usually gives me the "ick" and it's go to cure all: diet and exercise.

Looking at the concept of Anatta "no self" through Buddhist eyes only, I never fully understood how this could be a truth. However, adding in recent findings from neuropsychology that also suggest that our sense of self is an illusion--one that is created by the left side of the brain--a mirage in the desert. I find having learned the science of Anatta has made a real difference in my level of understanding. There are helpful exercises at the end of each chapter.

This one goes on my forever shelf and I will definitely be reading it again in 2025, there is a lot to absorb.

Full Title includes: "And Other Wisdoms From Life as a Forest Monk"

I randomly stumbled across this book and am very glad to have done so and yes it is going on my forever shelf as I plan to read it again and maybe yet again. It is like the author says on the back of the book cover:

"Let me tell you what this book is not. It's not about religion. It's not about telling you how to live your life. It's not about taking on a new set of beliefs.

Plain and simple, it's about how to relate to your own thoughts and emotions in a way that makes your life more enjoyable, more free, brighter, clearer and wiser."

Very relatable to my life.

The subtitle to this book: Science Reveals How Meditation Changes Your Mind, Brain, and Body

Part of my seemingly neverending quest to find the "source" that will convince my teeming brain to commit to a meditation practice--this was not the source and my brain continues its path of resistance. 

This is not to say that this book did not increase my understanding and value of medition as it certainly did, however, this is not a book about how to meditate, it is instead a book that compiles the evidence and body of research that exists to support the benefit of starting and maintaining a meditation practice. Easily readable and certainly does an excellent job at neutrally examining the facts and research study results.

It does a good job of explaining the Default Mode Network, the somewhat recently discovered neural network that is responsible for "telling our story", a narrative from the "I" perspective, a pathway that seems to be running on a nonstop loop. For myself, I am hoping to find the "source" that will help me to meditate in a sustainable manner that shuts down my DFM for any amount of time.

2023 has turned out to be a lot. In times of stress I read a lot BUT I don't retain a lot...it has been that kind of a year to put it mildly.

I mean who can resist a book with this title. It was chock full of the weird stuff a human brain gets up to when you don't pay attention to its doings. I need to go back and read the capsulations in the last chapter and refresh my mind. Helped increase my knowledge about the Default Mode Network and using a mindfulness practice,

2023 has turned out to be a lot. In times of stress I read a lot BUT I don't retain a lot...it has been that kind of a year to put it mildly.

I alway enjoy a Michael Pollan book and this one is no exception. I was curious to read about the science behind using psychedelics as a means to treat despression, anxiety, and addiction. I was also pleased that it discussed the Default Mode Network (a more recent discovery) in more detail. Fascinating--finally a bit more science about why meditation helps. A subject that I will be devoting alot more of my reading time. 

I would really like to find a pathway that keeps my DMN from shutting down all my previous attempts at a meditation practice.